FAQ

As I am lucky enough to have a wonderfully busy work life, I sometimes will take a day or two to answer your questions, so I have prepared a frequently asked question page which should hopefully save you time!

This page is constantly being updated because when a brides ask s me a question which I have not answered on this list, I add the answer to that question on it- so always pop back to it when you want to know something before contacting me.

Travel/ mobile

I am a freelance hair and makeup artist and I come to you on your wedding day. Within the Southern Highlands, there are no travel fees. South Coast weddings do not incur a travel fee when the spend is over $700. Travel down the south coast is negotiable. Costs are incurred for Sydney Canberra and the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas.

Booking us

When you decide to book me, I will send you out a booking form asking you all of the questions I need to know. I then send you a confirmation letter confirming your booking and requesting a non-refundable booking deposit of 10% or $100 whichever is the greater that must be paid to hold me or my team for your wedding day.

If you are not happy to pay this till after your trial, you must organise a trial booking with me as soon as it is possible. I will hold your date tentatively and will inform you if someone else wants to book me before booking them in – giving you to option of paying a deposit or letting the booking go.

Trial or no trial

If you choose not to have a trial;

I really recommend you have a trial, but if you feel confident enough not to have one, you will need to book in for a 30-minute phone consultation prior to your wedding to go through all of the hair and makeup looks you have envisioned and to discuss the finer points of how the day will progress. This costs $50 and must be agreed to for the booking to progress. This ensures the day goes well, as 95% of non-trial weddings usually are extremely stressful for me and the bride due to envisioned looks not always being doable.

Trial information;

All trials will be held at Ukiyo Spa, they are available Thursday – Mondays as long as I am available for those dates as I am a freelance makeup artist and writer so not always available weekdays.

The best time to have a trial is when you have all of your maid’s dresses sorted, and flowers decided on – so this is approximately 3 months out.

Spring and early summer brides ideally have your trials during the months of June/July and August as there is a higher chance of you getting a date which suits you.

Autumn and winter brides the ideal time is either January or February as they are also quieter bridal season months.

All trials take 1 1/2 hours each. So if you are having a hair and makeup trial allow 3 hours. The cost is $120 each, so hair and makeup cost is $240.

If you would like other members of your bridal party to also have a hair or makeup trial, they will incur the same fees as you.

Please come with clean hair washed the night before. Leave your hair to dry naturally or blow-dry, but do NOT use a straightener or curling wand, as it breaks the hair bonds and we will have trouble curling or straightening your hair.

Double wash the roots of your hair, but scrubbing your scalp vigorously, and only condition the ends. Ideally, use a clarifying shampoo as it will give your hair more body and texture allowing us to help you achieve the look you are after.

Cleanse and moisturise your face the morning of your trial, ideally use a facial exfoliant as well to give your skin the glow you will want on your wedding day. DO NOT COME WITH MAKEUP ON.

Bring pictures of your gown, flowers and maid’s dresses so we can create a hair and makeup look which will tie in with the look you have envisioned.

Please do not bring your wedding dress or maid’s dresses with you, but do bring your veil if having a hair trial or any hair pieces.

Payments

When you confirm your wedding booking, you will receive a booking form to fill out to help me book you in quickly. I will then send you a confirmation letter asking you to pay your holding deposit. 7 days before your wedding you will receive a form to fill out. When you return this I will send you your final quote unless you request this at an earlier date.

Payment for your trial must be made on your trial date and will come off your final cost on your confirmation letter.

As we do not charge a flat fee for hair costs, hair is not set in stone until the final quote. If your hair length or style is not consistent with the final quote, you will be asked to pay extra on the day, or we will refund you in cash on the day.

How long will everyone’s hair and makeup take on your wedding day?

Each makeup takes 1 hour and each hairdo we allow 1 hour, even if it is a short hair blow dry. The reason we do so is that it helps us ensure that you are totally happy with your hair and makeup on the day. If you have a family or member of the bridal party who is difficult to please – let us know before the day so we can schedule extra time to take care of her.

Time schedule for your hair and makeup on your wedding day.

We cannot give you a set time schedule as to who needs to be where on your wedding day as we do hair and makeup in stages so that everyone looks and feels their best throughout the whole day – not just one person. Please do NOT think you know the best time plan as it could mean that we could end up standing around waiting for clients and then we end up running late,

Preparing hair and skin for your wedding day.

You will receive a final quote which confirms your hair and makeup costs as well as the time we will start and finish. We will go to great lengths to ensure you are ready on time, but we need you to make sure you are organised and correctly prepped for the event.

Please send out the hair and makeup instructions on your final quote to everyone having hair and makeup done so no one gets it wrong. Or send out my bridal beauty plan when you receive the link when you confirm your booking.

Lipsticks, powder and hair extensions

As your hair extension needs to be the perfect length and colour, we do not supply hair extensions. The ideal extension for your hair should be discussed with your hairdresser. After your trial, you will be asked if you would like me to supply you with a top up lipstick for your wedding day which I can buy for you to save you time. This colour can also be used by your bridesmaids. The cost will be added to your final quote.

Organise for your mother, mother in law and other family members to bring a favourite lipstick or gloss with them so they can top up later on with the same colour. Our makeup sticks – so no powder is required for you to top up later on in the day, although if you feel you would like one, it can be bought for you and added to your final quote as well.